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The list: Powerful Scientologists

Lulu Belle

Moonbat
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Powerful Scientologists


The Church of Scientology claims notable members in high places, from Hollywood to the Beltway. The teachings of science fiction writer-turned-religious leader L. Ron Hubbard speak to VIPs including Tom Cruise and Sonny Bono. Hubbard would have been 101 this March, so Powerwall rounds up some of his religion's most powerful members.

Tom Cruise
These days, Hollywood's most famous action star is equally renowned for his religious beliefs. Over the years, Tom Cruise has been Scientology's most visible advocate. Tom is an Operating Thetan Level 7 -- one of the highest levels of spiritual awareness -- and a recent unauthorized biography claimed that Cruise "lives and breathes" the religion. Cruise gives as much as he gets, though. Over the years, he's donated millions of dollars to the group. Still, Tom's clout hasn't protected him from criticism. When a video Cruise had made for a Scientology event circulated around the Internet, the dubious public went wild over his staunch beliefs.


David Miscavige
If the whole really is greater than its parts, then David Miscavige might be the most powerful Scientologist of them all. Sure, he's not an A-list celeb, politician or businessman, but he's influential among every Scientologist out there. Proof? He was also the best man in Tom Cruise's wedding to Katie Holmes. Miscavige is the church's leader, and he pulls the strings in the organization.


Sky Dayton
Remember dial-up? Unlimited Internet may seem like a basic constitutional right today, but back in 1995 -- before wireless -- Sky Dayton's EarthLink was the first to offer that freedom with a simple ISP. Today, the company focuses on IT, network and communication services for business, but we have Dayton -- who's also the founder and chairman of Wi-Fi operator Boingo -- to thank for setting the user-friendly Internet age into motion.


Sonny Bono
The '70s pop icon became a politician in 1988 -- a year after he cast his first vote -- when he was elected mayor of Palm Springs, Calif., but a career switch wasn't his only big life change. Bono was raised Catholic, but he dabbled in Scientology while married to Cher. While she lost interest, Scientology stuck with Bono, and when founder L. Ron Hubbard died in 1986, Bono wrote, "My only sorrow is that L. Ron Hubbard left before I could thank him for my new life." While he never officially accepted Scientology as a religion, Sonny remained connected to the organization throughout his life.


John Travolta
When John Travolta burst onto the scene with Grease and Saturday Night Fever in the late '70s, he wasn't just a fresh face in Hollywood. He was also a newly minted Scientologist. The actor, who was raised Roman Catholic, converted to the religion in 1975. His devotion to Scientology is strong, despite the fact that the church doesn't recognize autism, a disorder his late son, Jett, suffered from. When Jett died at 16 from seizure-caused head injuries, Travolta -- who'd previously denied his son's autism -- acknowledged the boy's disability in court. Regardless of the conflicting views on Jett's disorder, Travolta and his wife, Kelly Preston, attributed their healing process to the help of the church.


Greta van Susteren
The Fox News host and her lawyer husband, John Coale, are careful to keep their religious views on the DL. Scientology isn't exactly accepted on the Beltway or in the legal field, but that doesn't mean Greta and John aren't faithful to Xenu. The power couple may not be arguing their religious views with Matt Lauer on national TV, but they're nonetheless active members.


Lisa Marie Presley
In 2004, Lisa Marie Presley sold dad Elvis' estate (minus Graceland!) for approximately $100 million. Presley isn't just a wealthy heiress, though -- she's also a singer, activist and humanitarian. But she hasn't gotten where she is without a little guidance. The rock 'n' roll princess credits her life's stability to Scientology, saying, "Were it not for Scientology, I would either be completely insane or dead by now."


Peaches Geldof
As the daughter of British rocker Bob Geldof and late journalist Paula Yates, this model and media personality is accustomed to life in the limelight. The socialite revealed that she'd begun exploring Scientology in 2009, explaining, "I was confused about what path to go through, and I feel like I needed a spiritual path."


James Packer
One of the church's most notable -- and deep-pocketed -- members left the organization in 2008. Australian media mogul James Packer, who was introduced to Scientology by friend Tom Cruise, had reached high levels in the group, thanks in part to his friends in high places. After half a decade in the church, the billionaire parted ways with Scientology and resumed plans to expand his casino empire.


Paul Haggis
It's no surprise that Scientology's outlying beliefs and practices have drawn more than a few critics, perhaps none so damaging as high-profile member Paul Haggis. The Oscar-winning screen writer left the church after 34 years, and in 2011, Haggis wrote a scathing New Yorker profile replete with the church's alleged dirty secrets.

From human trafficking to brain washing, the article spared no incriminating detail. Haggis may have left the church, but with his tell-all story, he proved he still holds some power.
 

Petey C

Silver Meritorious Patron
Interesting but -- well, interesting. I thought the rumours were that Packer was out; Sonny Bono is dead (though his widow is still a politician in Washington); Haggis is definitely out; and I thought Lisa Marie had withdrawn too.

If this is all they can come up with, it's a bit of a fizzle. I wouldn't say Travolta or Cruise are powerful, though they are well-known. But maybe I'm just seeing the world through my own jaded lens.
 
G

Gottabrain

Guest
And Greta van Susteren is not only nuts, she was one of the key people who financially benefited from the infamous Reed Slatkin Ponzi scheme and still kept a large portion of the money ("Greta Van Susteren, agreed to return about $700000 of the $939000 they netted." www.slatkinfraud.com/)

Someone who profits from criminal activities and is known to have close associations with criminals is hardly a person to hold up as a model of integrity.
 

KissMyStats

Patron with Honors
Thanks for this LuLu. The Sydney Morning Herald link in the section on James Packer
says he is still friends with Tom Cruise and shows them on a boat together. I would bet my bra that the midget is making sure Tom keeps an eye on James and reports back on any signs of disaffection. Can't have a billionaire on the dark side helping expose his crimes. Mr. Packer doesn't know he's got a snake posing as a friend. IMHO
 
G

Gottabrain

Guest
Thanks for this LuLu. The Sydney Morning Herald link in the section on James Packer
says he is still friends with Tom Cruise and shows them on a boat together. I would bet my bra that the midget is making sure Tom keeps an eye on James and reports back on any signs of disaffection. Can't have a billionaire on the dark side helping expose his crimes. Mr. Packer doesn't know he's got a snake posing as a friend. IMHO

That's from 2008. Packer hasn't shown any connections or said a word about Scn since. We truly don't know if he's still involved in any way.
 

Zhent

Leakus Maximus
Yeah pretty crap list, more a list of well known celebrities. If you want powerful scientologists start with Robert Duggan, who I estimate has donated more to the IAS then all these well known celebrities combined (in excess of $50 million).
 

Petey C

Silver Meritorious Patron
Zhent
Re: The list: Powerful Scientologists

Yeah pretty crap list, more a list of well known celebrities. If you want powerful scientologists start with Robert Duggan, who I estimate has donated more to the IAS then all these well known celebrities combined (in excess of $50 million).

Though of course rich does not mean powerful.
 

Zhent

Leakus Maximus
Though of course rich does not mean powerful.

Perhaps in a fair democracy, but we know how 'money talks' and fixes thing in the Church of Scientology.
Got ethics trouble? Buy a Basics set or upgrade your IAS level and all will be well! :)
 
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